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Opportunistic screening for alcohol use disorders in primary care: comparative study

Coulton, Simon, Drummond, Colin, James, Darren, Godfrey, Christine, Bland, Martin, Parrott, Steve, Peters, Timothy J., Stepwice Res, Team (2006) Opportunistic screening for alcohol use disorders in primary care: comparative study. British Medical Journal, 332 (7540). 511-514A. ISSN 0959-8146. (doi:10.1136/bmj.38743.421574.7C) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:16979)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38743.421574.7C

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and relative costs of different screening methods for the identification of alcohol use disorders in an opportunistic screening programme in primary care in the United Kingdom. Design Comparative study. Setting Six general practices in south Wales. Participants 194 male primary care attendees aged 18 or over who completed an alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Main outcome measures Scores on alcohol use disorders identification test and measures of gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, per cent carbohydrate deficient transferrin, and erythrocyte mean cell volume. Hazardous alcohol consumption, weekly binge consumption, and monthly binge consumption were ascertained using the time line follow back method over the previous 180 days. Alcohol dependence was determined using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition. Unit costs were established from published resource references and from actual costs of analysing the biochemical tests. Results A significant correlation was observed between alcohol consumption and score on the alcohol use disorders identification test (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.74) and measures of gamma-glutamyltransferase (r = 0.20) and per cent carbohydrate deficient transferrin (r = 0.36) but not aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.08) or erythrocyte mean cell volume (r = 0.02). The alcohol use disorders identification test exhibited significantly higher sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value than all of the biochemical markers for hazardous consumption (69%, 98%, and 95%), weekly binge consumption (75%, 90%, and 71%), monthly binge consumption (66%, 97%, and 91%), and alcohol dependence (84%, 83%, and 41%). The questionnaire was also more cost efficient with a lower cost per true positive for all consumption outcomes. Conclusion The alcohol use disorders identification test questionnaire is an efficient and cost efficient diagnostic tool for routine screening for alcohol use disorders in primary care.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1136/bmj.38743.421574.7C
Additional information: Times Cited: 11
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Simon Coulton
Date Deposited: 19 Mar 2009 15:03 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:54 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/16979 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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